58勛圖

AS5001 Advanced Data Analysis

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

This module is intended for students in the final year of an MPhys or MSci programme involving the School, students on MSc Astrophysics, and students on EngD Photonics.

Module description

This module develops an understanding of basic concepts and offers practical experience with the techniques of quantitative data analysis. Beginning with fundamental concepts of probability theory and random variables, practical techniques are developed for using quantitative observational data to answer questions and test hypotheses about models of the physical world. The methods are illustrated by applications to the analysis of time series, imaging, spectroscopy, and tomography datasets. Students develop their computer programming skills, acquire a data analysis toolkit, and gain practical experience by analyzing real datasets.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

FAMILIARITY WITH SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE ESSENTIAL, FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH AS3013 OR PH3080. ENTRY TO AN MPHYS PROGRAMME IN THE SCHOOL OR MSC ASTROPHYSICS.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

No Re-assessment available - laboratory based

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 or 3 lectures or tutorials and some supervised computer lab sessions

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Become comfortable with the concepts of probability theory and statistics
  • Enhance their ability to quantitatively analyse data
  • Develop their ability and become confident in tackling open-ended data analysis problems in physics and astronomy or wherever they may arise in their future work

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook at /physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/